Implant Delivery Device

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for the delivery of a compressible implant into a bodily lumen. The delivery device includes an enlarged section that is configured to house the implant during delivery thereof into a patient. In certain embodiments, the implant is kept within the delivery device in a substantially uncompressed configuration prior to the delivery thereof.

1 . A device for the delivery of a compressible implant into a bodily lumen, the device comprising:
 a proximal section, a distal section, and an intermediate section between said proximal and distal sections, each of said proximal, distal, and intermediate sections comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a continuous open space extending within the inner diameters of the proximal, distal, and intermediate sections,   a first opening in said proximal section and a second opening in said distal section, each of said first and second openings providing access to the continuous open space; and   a contact member within the inner diameter of said proximal section; wherein
 the inner diameter of said distal section is less than the inner diameter of said intermediate section, the outer diameter of said distal section is less than the outer diameter of said intermediate section; 
 the intermediate section is configured to house the compressible implant prior to delivery of the compressible implant into the bodily lumen; 
 a cross-sectional dimension of the compressible implant is greater than the inner diameter of said distal section when the compressible implant is housed within said intermediate section; and 
 said contact member is configured to contact the compressible implant within said intermediate section, and to apply a force to the compressible implant so that the compressible implant moves from said intermediate section into said distal section and through said second opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section is configured such that the implant is in a substantially uncompressed configuration when housed within the intermediate section. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of said intermediate section is greater than the inner diameter of said proximal section. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a transition section extending between said intermediate section and said distal section, said transition section comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter that decrease from the respective inner and outer diameters of said intermediate section to the respective inner and outer diameters of said distal section as the transition section extends from said intermediate section to said distal section. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrode on said distal section. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said electrode is a ring electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said device comprises a plurality of ring electrodes on said distal section. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said distal end terminates in a ball tip. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said second opening is positioned on a side wall of said distal section. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises silicone. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the implant is a substantially porous plug. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual marker on said distal section. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said visual marker comprises a band placed around said distal section. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor on said distal section. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor is capable of sensing when distal section is in contact with tissue. 
     
     
         16 . A device for the delivery of a compressible contraceptive implant into a fallopian tube, the device comprising:
 a proximal section, a distal section, and an intermediate section between said proximal and distal sections, each of said proximal, distal, and intermediate sections comprising an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a continuous open space extending within the inner diameters of the proximal, distal, and intermediate sections,   a first opening in said proximal section and a second opening in said distal section, each of said first and second openings providing access to the continuous open space; and   a contact member configured to extend within the inner diameter of said proximal section; wherein
 the inner diameter of said distal section is less than the inner diameter of said intermediate section, the outer diameter of said distal section is less than the outer diameter of said intermediate section and the inner diameter of said intermediate section is greater than the inner diameter of said proximal section; 
 the intermediate section is configured to house the contraceptive implant prior to delivery of the compressible implant into the bodily lumen; 
 a cross-sectional dimension of the contraceptive implant is greater than the inner diameter of said distal section when the contraceptive implant is housed within said intermediate section; and 
 said contact member is configured to contact the contraceptive implant within said intermediate section, and to push the compressible implant into said distal section and through said second opening into the fallopian tube.